The Texans did a great job adding talent across the board during the 2023 NFL Draft. General manager Nick Caserio first selected his new quarterback, then made a bold trade to land possibly the best defender in the draft.

Just a couple of months ago, the Texans had arguably the least-talented roster in the league. It was a directionless group of players with no clear future outlined. 

After the draft, the Texans have a clear direction and several obvious building blocks. With the draft behind us and undrafted free agents being added, let's look at the new and improved Texans roster.

Players are listed in alphabetical order. 

*= Denotes drafted player

**= Denotes undrafted player

Quarterback

• Case Keenum
• Davis Mills
• EJ Perry
• CJ Stroud*

The Skinny: There is no doubt who will be the starting QB in Houston. Stroud should take over immediately and give the Texans a franchise QB that has been missing since Deshaun Watson. Keenum was brought in to be a veteran mentor so it seems like a lock that he will make the team. If the team wants to keep three QBs, Mills could stick around. I would not be surprised to see Mills traded elsewhere, however.

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Running back

• Mike Boone
• Gerrid Doaks
• Dare Ogunbowale
• Dameon Pierce
• Devin Singletary
• Xazavian Valladay**
• Andrew Beck (FB)
• Troy Hairston (FB)

The Skinny: Pierce should be the starter again in 2023, but he will have more competition. Singletary comes over from Buffalo and presents a third-down option who is a receiving threat out of the backfield. Boone is a bruiser who could be a solid goalline back. Ogunbowale is a special teams ace who likely gets a roster spot due to his efforts there. Valladay is a sneakily-good back who will have a legitimate shot at making the roster. If the team keeps four backs, Valladay could beat out Boone for the final slot. 

Beck will be on the team as a FB/TE hybrid.

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Wide receiver

• Alex Bachman
• Noah Brown
• Jalen Camp
• Nico Collins
• Tank Dell*
• Drew Estrada
• Xavier Hutchinson*
• Johnny Johnson III
• Jesse Matthews**
• John Metchie III
• Amari Rodgers
• Steven Sims
• Jared Wayne**
• Robert Woods

The Skinny: This roster is much improved over the 2022 edition. Out goes Brandin Cooks, Phillip Dorsett, and Chris Moore, in comes Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and Tank Dell. What was possibly the least-talented group in the league now looks like a potential strength. Dell is obviously a lock to make the team as a big play threat, and Hutchinson could make it as a big red-zone threat. There is much competition here, which is a great sign. 

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Tight end

• Brevin Jordan 
• Teagan Quitoriano
• Mason Schreck
• Dalton Schultz

The Skinny: Schultz comes over from Dallas and provides a great option for new QB CJ Stroud. Jordan Akins bolted for Cleveland, but Schultz should more than make up for that loss. Quitoriano and Jordan both have a real chance to make a name for themselves, and should get plenty of opportunities. 

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Offensive line

• OL Tyler Beach**
• OL Dylan Deatherage**
• OT Austin Deculus
• C Michael Deiter
• OG Kenyon Green
• OT Charlie Heck 
• OT Tytus Howard
• OG Shaq Mason
• OG Jimmy Morrissey
• C Jarrett Patterson*
• C Scott Quessenberry
• C Juice Scruggs*
• OT Laremy Tunsil

The Skinny: This is another group that has greatly benefitted from a talent injection. Scruggs should challenge Quessenberry for the starting center spot. Patterson could also become a stable contributor eventually and provide depth on the interior. Mason is a proven veteran who immediately improves the interior. This group has a ton of potential and will be fun to watch. 

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Defensive line

• Will Anderson Jr.*
• Thomas Booker
• Maliek Collins
• Ali Gaye**
• Jonathan Greenard
• Demone Harris
• Kurt Hinish
• Dylan Horton*
• Jerry Hughes
• Roy Lopez
• Adedayo Odeleye
• Sheldon Rankins
• Hassan Ridgeway
• Derek Rivers
• Taylor Stallworth
• Chase Winovich

The Skinny: The Texans were one of the worst defensive lines in the league in 2022. No team was gashed by opposing running backs than the Texans were. It's safe to say that won't be a problem in 2023. Horton could immediately contribute after being selected in the fourth round. 

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Linebacker

• Blake Cashman
• Jake Hansen
• Christian Harris
• Christian Kirksey
• Cory Littleton
• Denzel Perryman
• Henry To'oTo'o*
• Garret Wallow

The Skinny: To'oTo'o was added in the fifth round, and seems set to be a key special teamer in 2023. Perryman and Littleton provide veteran starting experience and will help improve the rush defense. 

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Cornerback

• Cobi Francis
• Ka'dar Hollman
• Desmond King II
• Steven Nelson
• D'Angelo Ross
• Kendall Sheffield
• Derek Stingley Jr.
• Tavierre Thomas

The Skinny: The team did not add a cornerback during or after the draft thus far. That's not necessarily surprising, as the team had a surprisingly good pass defense in 2022. Leaps from Stingley and Francis seem to be counted on in 2023. 

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Safety

• Grayland Arnold
• Brandon Hill*
• Darius Joiner**
• Eric Murray
• Jalen Pitre
• MJ Stewart
• Jimmie Ward

The Skinny: Hill was the final pick of the draft for the Texans and provides depth at the safety spots. Joiner was brought in immediately after the draft to compete with Hill for a spot. Pitre and Ward are the undisputed starters and are solid. 

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Special teams

• P Joe Doyle**
• K Ka'imi Fairbairn
• P Cameron Johnston
• KR Desmond King III
• PR Desmond King II
• KR Dare Ogunbowale
• LS Jon Weeks

The Skinny: Doyle was the only specialist added thus far, which could indicate that Fairbairn's job is not in jeopardy. Johnston could be pushed by Doyle in camp for the punter job